The Natural Linguist

In this election season, we hear phrases like this one all too often: "I just want the government out of my business" (or out of my life, school, wallet, etc.) This is an understandable attitude that reflects a natural desire for independence and autonomy. The thought is: just leave me and my money alone and I'll take care of my own business. I don't want you imposing your rules, regulations or morals on me. I will live my life, raise my children and conduct my business as I see fit. I understand the social contract that says my rights end at the edge of my property, but within my property, they are sovereign and I won't allow them to be infringed upon. What I would like to suggest is that our ability to take this attitude is something we should be profoundly grateful for. And we should think twice before we say that we wish to exorcise the government from all our affairs. Be careful what you wish for! What is it that we take for granted? We have all grown up ...

Many times when I'm reading about government, free enterprise, capitalism, corporations, and other ways in which we organize ourselves and our affairs, the discussion turns to the question of good and evil. Evil government. Evil corporations. How often do we hear these phrases? Corporations are ruining the world. The middle class is disappearing. Keep the government out of my life, my house, my school, and above all, my wallet! Wealth is being concentrated in the hands of the few. Government is running amok. Tax and spend! 80% of the wealth is held by 5% of the richest people. We usually associate these phrases, politically, with either the left or the right and they are generally charged with emotion, anger, sometimes writhing fury. The result is that our political discourse has turned into a big tug of war. Our country is effectively divided into two practically equal halves who spend much of their time and energy contending with each other over the best way to conduc...